first entry was for 15 August, inscribed in a firm copperplate hand. The ink had turned brown with age but the entry was clear:
Harvest now safely garnered, so that pupils could be admitted.
Sixty-two enrolled. Some twenty still hop-picking in Hampshire, and returning before the month's end.
Miss Mackintosh in charge of Infants. Miss Brown in charge of Juniors. Headmaster in charge of top standards.
School assembled in the playground as weather fine, and then marched into Prayers.
Text today: 'Be obedient to those set over you.'
And a very timely text too, thought Alan Lester, for the first day of a new school!
He turned the pages, and soon found a lengthy account of the official opening, which took place on 20 September in the presence of a goodly gathering. As well as dignitaries from the County Education Committee and a fair sprinkling of local worthies, the rector of Thrush Green, the Reverend Octavius Fennel, was much in evidence. He opened the proceedings with a prayer, and also gave a short address, his text being: 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the Kingdom of God.'
A somewhat kindlier text, thought Alan, than the headmaster's original one.
Those present at this occasion were carefully listed, and one or two familiar names appeared, such as Lovelock and Harmer. Having found what he needed, Alan Lester returned the weighty volume to its resting place, and pondered on the most suitable festivities to promote on 20 September, 1992.
Meanwhile, Harold Shoosmith and Charles Henstock had been similarly engaged upon their researches, and were beginning to wonder about the best way to celebrate that other official opening, so far away under sunnier skies, at much the same time in 1892.
Both men had found Octavius's diary fascinating. The entries were brief, and one of the earliest was for 7 December, 1892. It read:
Received with joy letter from N. All well.
The diary was not kept daily, but very few weeks went by without some entry. Charles read it with particular sympathy. As he turned the pages, it became clear that his predecessor had been a man of outstanding kindliness and with a wide range of interests.
He obviously shared with so many Victorians the fascination of scientific discoveries. He mentioned meetings of the Lulling Scientific Society ('Lantern slides by courtesy of Oliver Lovelock, Esq.'). The Astronomer Royal had honoured them with a visit on his way to Somerset. He himself had felt obliged to speak out against some of the theories of Charles Darwin.
What came through most strongly was his steadfast belief in God and the teachings of the Anglican Church. Those theories of Charles Darwin's, about which he disapproved, were evidently contrary to his own religious beliefs and, no doubt, he looked upon them as heresy.
But the diary gave evidence not only of an upright man of God, but also of an endearing fellow who loved his neighbours, was compassionate and generous to the poor and sick, and was passionately fond of flowers, animals and the natural world about him.
Picked a dozen pyramid orchids by Lulling Woods. Took them with butter and eggs to poor old Biddy Bolton at Drovers' Arms. Lower limbs much afflicted with dropsy.
Entries mentioning Nathaniel came two or three times a year, each ending with 'see accounts'. It was plain that Octavius had financed this venture of Nathaniel's entirely from his own pocket.
By piecing together the material relating to Nathaniel in the diary, it was quite apparent to Charles and Harold that they now had a very good idea of the story.
Oliver Lovelock's useful article in 'Local Benefactors' on the subject of the Reverend Octavius Fennel was also very enlightening. Oliver obviously had great affection and respect for his clergyman friend, and also threw light on the relationship between Octavius and his protégé Nathaniel.
It appeared that the young missionary had been in his twenties when he embarked on his great
Harvest now safely garnered, so that pupils could be admitted.
Sixty-two enrolled. Some twenty still hop-picking in Hampshire, and returning before the month's end.
Miss Mackintosh in charge of Infants. Miss Brown in charge of Juniors. Headmaster in charge of top standards.
School assembled in the playground as weather fine, and then marched into Prayers.
Text today: 'Be obedient to those set over you.'
And a very timely text too, thought Alan Lester, for the first day of a new school!
He turned the pages, and soon found a lengthy account of the official opening, which took place on 20 September in the presence of a goodly gathering. As well as dignitaries from the County Education Committee and a fair sprinkling of local worthies, the rector of Thrush Green, the Reverend Octavius Fennel, was much in evidence. He opened the proceedings with a prayer, and also gave a short address, his text being: 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the Kingdom of God.'
A somewhat kindlier text, thought Alan, than the headmaster's original one.
Those present at this occasion were carefully listed, and one or two familiar names appeared, such as Lovelock and Harmer. Having found what he needed, Alan Lester returned the weighty volume to its resting place, and pondered on the most suitable festivities to promote on 20 September, 1992.
Meanwhile, Harold Shoosmith and Charles Henstock had been similarly engaged upon their researches, and were beginning to wonder about the best way to celebrate that other official opening, so far away under sunnier skies, at much the same time in 1892.
Both men had found Octavius's diary fascinating. The entries were brief, and one of the earliest was for 7 December, 1892. It read:
Received with joy letter from N. All well.
The diary was not kept daily, but very few weeks went by without some entry. Charles read it with particular sympathy. As he turned the pages, it became clear that his predecessor had been a man of outstanding kindliness and with a wide range of interests.
He obviously shared with so many Victorians the fascination of scientific discoveries. He mentioned meetings of the Lulling Scientific Society ('Lantern slides by courtesy of Oliver Lovelock, Esq.'). The Astronomer Royal had honoured them with a visit on his way to Somerset. He himself had felt obliged to speak out against some of the theories of Charles Darwin.
What came through most strongly was his steadfast belief in God and the teachings of the Anglican Church. Those theories of Charles Darwin's, about which he disapproved, were evidently contrary to his own religious beliefs and, no doubt, he looked upon them as heresy.
But the diary gave evidence not only of an upright man of God, but also of an endearing fellow who loved his neighbours, was compassionate and generous to the poor and sick, and was passionately fond of flowers, animals and the natural world about him.
Picked a dozen pyramid orchids by Lulling Woods. Took them with butter and eggs to poor old Biddy Bolton at Drovers' Arms. Lower limbs much afflicted with dropsy.
Entries mentioning Nathaniel came two or three times a year, each ending with 'see accounts'. It was plain that Octavius had financed this venture of Nathaniel's entirely from his own pocket.
By piecing together the material relating to Nathaniel in the diary, it was quite apparent to Charles and Harold that they now had a very good idea of the story.
Oliver Lovelock's useful article in 'Local Benefactors' on the subject of the Reverend Octavius Fennel was also very enlightening. Oliver obviously had great affection and respect for his clergyman friend, and also threw light on the relationship between Octavius and his protégé Nathaniel.
It appeared that the young missionary had been in his twenties when he embarked on his great
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